Posted 10/18/2007 8:15 PM (GMT -6)
Usually I do second opinions if I don't like what the first doc said, so it does seem backward, but there's no point in having the new rheumies think off the bat that you are totally committed to them. I think that probably from an insurance basis though, you need to figure out the best way and that may be through second opinons, or at least seeing the new rheumies for different diagnosis codes, like osteoarthritis vs lupus vs sjogrens, whatever. That way it may get covered. I don't think docs care that much one way or the other what we do, from my experience working in a doctors office they are too busy to really get all caught up in that kind of petty thinking, though I'm sure some might. Every doc I know always thinks you need to shop around because they know more than anyone that there are bad docs out there. You expectations might be higher than normal due to your close relationship with your old rheumie, as may be those of your friends in the same boat, so maybe take some of what they say with a grain of salt. I think a good doc, though, should know you need to be sure and shop around, besides, if the doc is good, you probably won't go on to try another one, so how will he be offended? And the ones that aren't good you don't want to go to anyway.
Love, Marji
--Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less in human beings of whom they know nothing.--Voltaire (1694-1778)
Ills--Sjogrens-Lupus-like AI Disease, Hashis, Vitiligo, spinal stenosis/fusion with plate, salivary/lymphectomies, Diabetes, NAFLD, COPD, RLS, neuropathy, trigonitis, hystero, diffuse brain atrophy
Meds--Plaquenil, Evoxac, Metformin, Synthroid, HCTZ, Estradiol patch, Prosed, Klonopin, Soma, Ultram, Vicodin, Restasis, Albuterol,steroid injections, Protopic & Triamcinolone Acetonide ointments